Last month, I wrote an article for Masala Magazine about how the skin is affected when the weather changes. So, here we go:
The temperatures are finally starting to drop, and the outdoors will be friendly again. And while this change in the season probably requires a change in wardrobe, it also requires a change in our skincare regimes.
When the weather was hot and humid, a lot of skincare specialists suggest looking after your skin, especially in terms of sun care and avoid the higher humidity to result in breakouts. But, as the weather starts to cool down, it becomes less humid and the indoors become especially dry and stuffy, depriving skin of natural moisture. In general, this new dryness can lead to flakiness, red patches and excess dead skin cells that clog pores and causing acne.
What is needed is to combat the skin from becoming dry and losing its natural lustre. The winter is actually a blessing for those with oily skins- as the lesser humidity and drier weather help with the breakouts and reduces flare-ups. The skin’s natural oils work hard to compensate for the loss of moisture. And while the dry breeze will remove excess oils, the skin will still need hydration, exfoliation and moisturizing. While the markets are suddenly stocked with petroleum jelly and oil-based moisturisers, they won’t be right for oily skins. Lush’s Catastrophe Cosmetic Face Mask, packed with fresh blueberries, is perfect for cleansing the skin and soothing redness and irritation, without stripping the skin of its natural oils. Dry oils like the Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil are perfect for this weather and oily skins.
For many, the winter days bring a rosy hue to the cheeks, dry skin-types, especially, struggle with skin troubles in the cooling weather. With lesser moisture than usual, the skin will be in need of a more heavy-duty moisturizer, a softer exfoliator and a lot of hydration. Hot showers and bath will sound especially alluring, but they will strip the already dry skin of natural oils and make the skin flaky and rough. It is ideal to take shorter baths or showers with lukewarm water. The skin will require more water than usual, without adequate water levels, it will appear dull, with exaggerated pores. Using a lighter Facial cleanser will ensure that your skin is clean without excessive scrubbing. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser does just that and completely removes makeup. Using a moisturizing scrub like Reine Michi Beauty’s Moisturizing Sugar Scrub will help clear the dead skin and keep your skin hydrated. La Prairie’s White Caviar Illuminating Serum helps in reducing the appearance of lines and spots, and gives the skin a subtle light, followed by La Prairie’s Skin Caviar Luxe cream for strengthening and lifting the skin. Adding a facial mist, like Caudalie Grape Water to hydrate skin will make your skin glow and happy.
Change in weather often gets confusing for combination skin, i.e when you have an oily T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) and your cheeks are dry. Combination skin starts to flake because of dehydration and excess buildup. These dry flakes require mild cleansers such as the Neutrogena Hydroboost Waster Gel Cleanser that gently cleanses and locks in moisture. Mild exfoliators like Starskin Foaming Peeling Perfection Puff will remove the dead cells and give the skin a natural luster. Lush’s Tea Tree Toner Tab will balance the skin’s oils and soothe redness and irritation.
And while you are updating the seasonal skincare, you might want to stock up on the sunscreen, lip scrub and lip balms. While it might not be as sunny anymore, but the sun is still prevalent, and the skin will still need SPF for protection; irrespective of skin type, the drier weather will have you end up with chapped lips. Lip scrubs, like Glamglow’s POUTMUD Fizzey Lip Exfoliating treatment, exfoliates the lips and leaving them softer, and free of dead skin, and Sephora Rouge Balm will keep your lips moisturized and lightly layered with SPF 20.
SWATINESS 